Ornamental barrette

ABSTRACT

A barrette or hair clasp comprising a base or hair clasping portion having means provided thereon for receiving and securely retaining an ornamental broach, or similar piece of jewelry, thereon whereby the broach may be worn as a decorative item for milady&#39;&#39;s hair.

United States Patent 1191 Kleine [11] 3,817,260 June 18, 1974 ORNAMENTAL BARRE'ITE [76] Inventor: Shirley J. Hanford Kleine, 8877 Weller Rd., Tulsa, Okla. 45242 1,480,009 l/l924 Preston 132/48 A 2,168,369 8/1939 Solomon 132/48 A 3,179,954 4/1965 Weitzner 132/46 R 3,441,032 4/1969 Barrett 132/46 R Primary Examiner-G. E. McNeill Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeill Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William S. Dorrnan [5 7] ABSTRACT 1 A barrette or hair clasp comprising a base or hair clasping portion having means provided thereon for receiving and securely retaining an ornamental broach, or similar piece of jewelry, thereon whereby the breach may be worn as a decorative item for miladys hair.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to improvements in jewelry and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a hair clasp or barrette for securing an ornamental piece of jewelry to miladys hair.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hair claps or barrettes are in widespread use today for holding a tress of hair in a preselected position for enhancing the beauty of miladys hair style. Thesedevices are usually of a relatively inexpensive construction, comprising a molded plastic-type body portion having a clasping element secured to the underside thereof. The clasping element is adapted for passing through the hair tress and locking the body portion in a preselected position on the outer or exposed portion of the hair tress whereby the hair tress is held securely in the set position. The body of the barrette adds a decorative touch to the hair style. However, due to the relatively low cost of items such as these, it will be apparent that many of the barrettes available today are not extremely attractive or decorative in the sense of the usual piece of jewelry which milady may desire. Many persons who wear barrettes possess beautiful items of jewelry, such as broaches which may be heirlooms, and the like, which they desire to display, and frequently these jewelry items would greatly enhance miladys hair style in a much better manner than the usual barrette available today. However, these jewelry items are not normally constructed for being fastened in miladys hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a novel hair clasp or barrette having the usual clasping element provided thereon for engaging a hair tress in the well known manner. The body portion of the novel barrette, however, is provided with means for receiving a separate piece or item of jewelry thereon for securely retaining the jewelry item on the barrette during use of the barrette in miladys hair. The jewelry may be readily removed from the barrette when no longer needed for decoration, or may be replaced by another item of jewelry, thus providing unlimited decorative hair clasp devices for miladys hair. For example, a cradle-like element may be adjustably secured to the body portion of the barrette whereby the pin or piercing element of a broach may be snapped onto the cradle member. The barrette having the broach, or the like, secured thereon, may be secured in miladys hair in the usual manner. The broach may then be manually positioned in the hair to achieve the desired ornamental effect, and securely locked in the desired position by a locking means provided on the barrette. Thus, a relatively inexpensive basic barrette may be utilized with substantially any desired piece of jewelry for providing an ornamental or decorative item for miladys hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a barrette embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top. view of a barrette embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a barrette embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ornament receiving element for a barrette embodying the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified ornament receiving element embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another modified ornament receiving element embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of an ornament such as may be utilized with a barrette embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generally indicates a hair clasp or barrette comprising an upper or outer bodyportion l2 and a clasp element 14. The body portion 12 :as shown herein is of an arcuate side elevational configuration whereby the general contour thereof approximates the general contour of miladys head (not shown), as is well known in devices of this type. The body 12 :as shown in FIG. 2 is of an elongated oval configuration, but it will be apparent that there is no intention of limiting the body 12 to this particular configuration. The clasp element 14 may be of any suitable or well known type, and as shown herein comprises an elongated arcuate arm 15 having one end 16 thereof pivotally secured to the under or lower surface of the body 12, and the opposite end 18 thereof adapted for selective engagement with a hook or catch member 20 provided on the lower or under surface of the body I2 in spaced relationship with re- ,spect to-the hinge connection 16, as is well known.

Thus, the arm 15 may be pivoted in a direction away from the body 12 for opening of the clasp element 14 whereby the arm 15 may be inserted about a hair tress (not shown), and the other end 18 thereof may then be engaged with the catch member 20 for securing the barrette 10 on the hair tress, as is well known.

An ornament receiving member or cradle 22 is disposed in spaced relationship from the outer or upper surface of the body 12 and is movably or pivotally secured thereto in any suitable manner, such as by a shaft 24 and support button 26, whereby the cradle 22 may be rotated for orientating the position thereof subsequent to fastening of the barrette 10 on the hair tress (not shown), for the purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. A suitable locking device 29 (FIG. 2) is preferably provided on the body 12 for cooperating with the button 26 to lock the button 26 to the body 12 when the cradle 22 has been properly orientated with respect to the hair tress. The locking device 29 may be of any suitable type, such as a set screw, or a pivotal element adapted for movement away from engagement with the button 26 for permitting freedom of movement of the button with respect to the body I2, and subsequently frictionally engagable with the button 26 for holding the button 26 against movement with respect to the body 12. It will be readily apparent, however, that the ornament receiving member or cradle 22 may be pivotally secured to the body 12 and locked in the desired position with respect thereto in any suitable or well known manner and is not limited to the particular arrangement depicted herein, and also that the ornament receiving member or cradle 22 and carrying body 12 of the barrette 10 may be of one solid, molded construction without the advantageous features of adjustability.

The ornament receiving element 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 comprises an elongated body portion 28 preferably constructed from a suitable springy type plastic material such as Teflong, or the like, and having a longitudinally extending slit or opening 30 providing communication between the exterior of the cradle 22 and a central bore 32 which extends longitudinally therethrough. Whereas the width of the slit 30 is preferably relatively narrow, and in fact, the opposite ends or edges thereof may be in a normal position of engagement. In addition, the lips of the side edges of the slit 30 may curl outwardly, as particularly shown in FlGS. 3 and 4, for facilitating the use of the cradle 22, as will be hereinafter set forth, but not limited thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 7, reference character 34 generally indicates a broach, or the like, such as may be desirable for use with the barrette 10. The broach 34 may be of any suitable type, which normally includes an ornamental element 36 (the back side of which is shown herein) having a fastening element 38 secured to the back or under surface thereof. The fastening element 38 normally includes a piercing member 40 commonly called a pin, having one end 42 pivotally secured to the element 36, and the opposite end 44 adapted for engagement with a hook or catch member 46. In order to use the ornamental broach 34 with the barrette it is preferable to engage the end 44 of the pin 40 with the catch 46 as shown in FIG. 7. The broach 34 may then be placed in the proximity of the barrette 10 whereby the piercing element or pin 40 may be substantially aligned with the slit 30 in the cradle 22. The pin 40 may be manually forced through the slit 30 and into position in the bore 32. As hereinbefore set forth, the slit 30 is preferably quite narrow, and since the cradle 22 is constructed from a springy plastic material, the pressure of the pin 40 against slit 30 will force the slit 30 to open sufficiently wide for permitting the pin 40 to pass therethrough for disposition within the bore 32. It is preferable that the diameter of the bore 32 be selected of a size very close to the diameter of the usual pin member provided on a broach, such as the broach 34, and when the pin 40 is disposed within the bore 32, the spring-like action of the plastic material will urge the slit 30 to its normal'relatively narrow size for cooperating with the bore 32 to securely retain the pin 40 therein, thus securing the ornamental broach 34 to the barrette 10.

When the ornament 34 has thus been secured to the barrette 10, the barrette 10 may be secured to a hair tress in the usual manner as hereinbefore set forth, and the ornament 34 may be manually orientated with respect to miladys overall hair style to produce the desired decorative appearence therefor. When the orna ment 34 has been properly arranged, the locking device 29 may be utilized for locking the cradle 22 against further movement, thus securing the ornament 34 in the hair at the preselected or desired position. It will be apparent that the locking device 29 may be utilized in conjunction with the usual safety chain, or the like (not shown) frequently provided on a broach for precluding accidental loss of the broach.

Of course, the ornament 34 may be readily removed from the barrette 10 when it is no longer desired for use in connection therewith by manually pulling or removing the pin 40 from engagement with the cradle 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a modified ornament receiv-, ing member 48 is shown which comprises an arcuate holder member 50 having a pair of outwardly extending substantially circular flanges 52 and 54 provided at one end thereof and a pair of similar outwardly extending substantially circular flanges S6 and 58 provided at the opposite end thereof. The flanges 52 and 54 terminate at positions slightly spaced apart to provide a relatively narrow gap therebetween. The flanges 56 and 58 similarly terminate at positions slightly spaced apart to provide a gap 62 therebetween which is preferably in substantial alignment with the gap 60. The ornament receiving member 48 is preferably constructed from a suitable spring-type material, such as metallic, plastic, or the like, and functions in a manner very similar to the cradle member 22 for securing an ornament. such as the ornament 34, to the barrette 10. The pin member 40 of the ornament 34 may be manually forced through the aligned gaps 60 and 62 for disposition in the arcuate holder member 50, and the circular flanges 5254 and 56-58 securely retain the pin 40 in position therein through the pressure engagement therewith due to the relative sizes of the pin 40 and element 48 as well as the spring action of the material from which the element 48 is constructed. Of course, the ornament 34 may be easily removed from the holder 48 by withdrawing the pin 40 through the gaps 60 and 62.

FIG. 6 illustrates still another ornament holding element 64 which comprises a sleeve 66 preferably constructed from a suitable yieldable plastic, and having a bore 68 extending longitudinally therethrough. The bore 68 is preferably of a diameter either slightly less than or very close to the diameter of the usual pin member provided on a broach, or the like. In order to secure an ornament, such as the member 34, to the receiving member 64, the pin 40 may be pivoted about the hinge connection 42 for opening of the fastener 38, and the pin 40 may be inserted through the bore 68. Subsequently, the outer end 44 of the pin 40 may be engaged with the catch 46 in the usual manner, thus securing the ornament 34 to the barrette 10. In order to remove the ornament 34, the operation may be reversed, and the pin 40 withdrawn from the bore 68.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel barrette or hair clasp particularly designed and constructed for securing a jewelry item or ornamental broach to the hair for enhancing miladys hair style. The novel barrette is provided with gripping or holding means for selectively receiving substantially any desired broach, or the like, and for permitting an orientation of the broach with respect to the hair subsequent to securing of the barrette to the hair tress. Thus, the novel barrette provides a hair ornament of unique individuality, quality and beauty for a relatively economical price.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A barrette for engagement with a hair tress comprising a body portion, hair tress clasping means carried by the body portion for securing the barrette to the hair tress, and ornament holding means carried by the body portion for securing an independent broach to the barrette for decorative purposes, said ornament holding means comprising an elongated cradle pivotally attached to the body portion and having an opening therein for receiving a portion of said broach, said opening being comprised of a slit extending longitudinally of said cradle with yieldable flange means on said cradle disposed on opposite sides of said slit.

2. A barrette as set forth in claim 1 including locking 

1. A barrette for engagement with a hair tress comprising a body portion, hair tress clasping means carried by the body portion for securing the barrette to the hair tress, and ornament holding means carried by the body portion for securing an independent broach to the barrette for decorative purposes, said ornament holding means comprising an elongated cradle pivotally attached to the body portion and having an opening therein for receiving a portion of said broach, said opening being comprised of a slit extending longitudinally of said cradle with yieldable flange means on said cradle disposed on opposite sides of said slit.
 2. A barrette as set forth in claim 1 including locking means mounted on the body portion and engageable with the cradle for securing the cradle in substantially any desired position of rotational orientation for the broach. 